Advice greatly appreciated - new hamster

BeautyandtheBeast · 03-25-2016, 03:11 PM

Hey guys - so I brought my new hamster home yesterday. I left him in his little Pets at Home box (in the cage) and let him venture out on his own. It took him a good 3/4 hours to come out of his box (he was awake for, what I know of, 2 hours. I could hear his paws on the cardboard) Anyway, my hamsters cage is sat on a chest of drawers in my bedroom and when I sit up in bed I can see him clearly. Tonight I saw him fully for the first time since bringing him home and I noticed that when he's walking his whole body is sort of jittering and when he gets close to something, e.g. the edge of his platform, he's jumping back a little bit. He's been eating his food but I haven't noticed him use his water bottle or wheel yet. Also my hamster was climbing his bars when my stumoch gurgled pretty loudly. He was scaling the bars at the time and hasn't moved for a good 10 minutes now. I've been sort of clicking with my mouth from my bed to see if it'll encourage him to move. His ears are pricking but he's looking in the complete opposite direction.. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I feel like a first time parent :/

BeautyandtheBeast · 03-25-2016, 03:13 PM

He was awake for 2 1/2 - 3 hours that should say!

Rsclio197 · 03-25-2016, 03:17 PM

He's just scared and shocked I think. Ive experienced this with new hams (only had 2) you've just got to leave them to it I think. If he's still not moved from that spot maybe offer him a tiny bit of a treat if you have any? Also put loaf's of toilet paper in his cage, they love making a nest out of it. Loads

BeautyandtheBeast · 03-25-2016, 03:24 PM

I tried to move towards him, slowly, but he got scared and fell off. He seems ok but he's currently hiding under his platform so I can't see him. I'm sorry if this seems really silly, I've just never had a hamster this nervous

I've put lots of toilet tissue in his cage

WinnieTheHam · 03-25-2016, 03:33 PM

He sounds like a very nervous hamster. I'd at least leave him be for around 1 week, especially because he's nervous. So he can get used to his surroundings, sounds and smells etc.. before you actually start interacting with him. Still feed and water him though. He will settle sooner or later, some hamsters take longer than others and you just have to be patient if you want a hamster to completely trust in you

There's also specific ways of taming, a gradual process. Don't go straight into holding him after you've let him settle, because he probably won't be used to being handled at all. Let him get used to your voice first, once he seems responsive and comfortable with your voice start feeding him treats through the bars. This will help him get used to your scent and that you provide good things, that you're not a threat. When he confidently and happily takes treats from your hands, put some treats onto your palm and place your palm on the base of his cage, he will gradually come onto your hand to get the treats and when he's confident with doing this you can start lifting him off of the base of his cage, and then after that bring him out of his cage for a little white etc...

Each process will probably take a long time, maybe a week or so depending on how timid your boy is. Don't rush things because you will most likely have to go back to stage 1 of taming and it will take much longer. As for the treats, it's best to use sunflower seeds or similar. (not the yogurt drops and things like that from pet shops). There are some youtube videos that show you what to do, and remember don't start the taming process until he's fully settled into his new environment.

Rsclio197 · 03-25-2016, 03:36 PM

No silly questions involving pets. It's best you ask when in doubt. I'm far from an expert but I'd say leave him alone now he'll settle in his own time. Make sure his room is quiet and free from drafts.

Is he a Syrian? If so it's especially important you leave him be as they are prone to wet tail (caused by stress) which is life threatening.

Has he got a wheel? If so monitor if he's arcing his back on it or looks awkward. Id definitely recommend getting him a bigger wheel.

Stick strictly to his hamster muesli and water until he settles too, don't give any fruit or veg for at least 2 weeks till your sure he's settled. I made the mistake of giving my new Ham veg early doors and she got diarrhea bless her, it could've killed her.

Be wary any hamster illness can be life threatening to them, so be on your toes and check him over daily once he's settled, make sure his habitat is spot cleaned (just clean his wee spot daily and get rid of some of his hoard so it doesn't go bad, once he's made his nest or bed area, leave it alone completely till he's settled unless it's absolutely necessary you clean it.

You can never do enough research on pet care but largely stay away from Google search when you need help, too many contradicting articles there. Always ask on here as there are some highly experienced ham owners and what they dint know isn't worth knowing.

Good luck with your new ham and I look forward to seeing pics when he's settled

WinnieTheHam · 03-25-2016, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeautyandtheBeast

I tried to move towards him, slowly, but he got scared and fell off.

I wouldn't go near his cage, or be in the same room if possible for the first couple of days just so he can settle well into his new house. You have to be careful with new hams because if stressed too much they can get wet tail, which is a fatal illness.

Rsclio197 · 03-25-2016, 03:40 PM

One more thing for future ref, bare in mind hams like familiar surrounding's or smells they're accustomed too so if your moving or cleaning something like his bedding or substraten, put some of the old unspoiled stuff back with the new clean stuff so it's not a total shock to him.

Patience is key with settling in for sure, please don't rush everything should be done at HIS pace not yours. I bet your so tempted for a cuddle and play

. Just be patient and it'll all be worth it I promise

BeautyandtheBeast · 03-25-2016, 03:50 PM

Thank you guys - I haven't been near his cage, only to top up his muesli and to change his water. Unfortunately there isn't anywhere else in the house that I can keep him other than in my bedroom. I've tried to stay out of it when I can but when I have been in there I've been talking to him from across the room in the hope he'll get used to my voice. I only moved towards him because I was worried that he hadn't moved for so long and was hanging quite high up on the cage bars. Yes, he is a Syrian. As for spot cleaning I've had a quick look today (I tried not to be in there for too long) and I honestly couldn't see any droppings or wet substrate where he might've weed. I'll spend a bit more time when looking tomorrow though

BeautyandtheBeast · 03-25-2016, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rsclio197

Patience is key with settling in for sure, please don't rush everything should be done at HIS pace not yours. I bet your so tempted for a cuddle and play

. Just be patient and it'll all be worth it I promise

Yes - I'm very tempted to cuddle and play with him but I know that he's just too nervous right now and seeing him scared will only make me feel guilty. He might surprise me but I think I'm going to have to take teeny tiny steps with my little fella. The last thing I want is for him to get poorly. I'm very excited to build a bond with him though, I hope I can turn him into a confident little boy